The Influence of the Improvement of Calf Strength on Barefoot Loading

Author(s):  
Xuan Zhen Cen ◽  
Zhi Qiang Liang ◽  
Zi Xiang Gao ◽  
Wen Lan Lian ◽  
Zhang Ming Wang

The purpose of this study was to determine whether enhancement of calf muscular strength can produce influence on plantar pressure in barefoot running. Ten healthy male subjects (age:22±2.5 years, height: 1.76±0.4m, body mass: 65±2.5kg) participate this experiment enduring 8-week strength training adopting by calf raise movement on calf muscle. A medical ultrasonic instrument (Q6, China) was used to observe the variation of calf muscular morphology. A plantar pressure plate ( Novel Emed, Germany) was used to collect the variation of 8-region plantar pressure. After 8-week strength training, a significant increasing trend between pre-and post-strength training in subject`s pinnation angle (PA) of the gastrocnemius was found. Under strength training, there are some significant variations between pre-and post-plantar pressure. The start point of center of pressure (COP) gradually forward (middle foot 80%, forefoot 20%); the peak pressure of subject`s heel foot (HF) significantly lower; the maximal force in second-third metatarsal (M 2-3), medial foot (MF) and HF significantly decrease; the contact area in other toe (OT) significantly increase as well as MF and HF significantly decrease; the time-force integral in M2-3 and HF significantly lower and in MF significantly enhance. These results suggest, the enhancement of calf muscular strength may produce positively influence on beginning transitional process from shod running to barefoot running and is also worth to as a feasible way to recommend. However, the effects of strength straining on plantar pressure do not fully explore and still need to deeply explore own to existing limitations.

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8862
Author(s):  
Celso Sánchez-Ramírez ◽  
Luis M. Alegre

Background Although the studies of barefoot running have intensified, it is still missing longitudinal work analyzing the effects of barefoot running on the phases of plantar support. The objective of this research was to analyze the modifications undergone by the Total Foot Contact (TFC) phase and its Flat Foot Phase (FFP) in subjects beginning the practice of barefoot running, in its acute and chronic effects. Methods A total of 28 subjects were divided into the Barefoot Group (BFGr) (n = 16) and the Shod Group (SHGr) (n = 12), evaluated before (Baseline) and after running for 20 min at 3.05 m·s−1 (Post 20 min Running), and at the end of a running training protocol with an 8-week long progressive volume (Post-8-week Training). The dynamic plantar support was measured with a baropodoscope. The duration of TFC (ms), the moment at which the FFP occurred, the maximum surface of TFC (MSTFC) (cm2), the FFP surface (SFFP) (cm2), the peak pressure of TFC (PP°TFC) (kg·cm−2), and the peak pressure of FFP (PP°FFP) (kg·cm−2) were recorded. The 3 × 2 ANOVA analysis was made to determine the effects and interactions that the condition produced (Shod/Barefoot), and the time factor (Baseline/Post 20 min Running/Post-8-week Training). Results The condition factor caused more significant effects than the time factor in all the variables. Duration of TFC in BFGr showed significant differences between the Baseline and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.000) and between Post-20-min Running and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.000), with an increasing trend. In the moment at which the FFP occurred a significant increase (p = 0.029) increase was found in Post-20 min Running (48.5%) compared to the Baseline (42.9%). In MSTFC, BFGr showed in Post-8-week Training values significantly higher than the Baseline (p = 0.000) and than Post-20-min Running (p = 0.000). SHGr presented a significant difference between the Baseline and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.040). SFFP in BFGr modified its values with an increasing trend (p = 0.000). PP°TFC in BFGr showed a significant decrease (p = 0.003) in Post-8-week Training (1.9 kg·cm−2) compared to the Baseline (2.4 kg·cm−2). In PP°FFP significant decreases were recorded in BFGr and between Post-8-week Training and Baseline (p = 0.000), and Post-8-week Training and Post 20 min Running (p = 0.035). Conclusions The adaptation took place after the 8-week training. The adaptations to running barefoot were characterized by causing an increase of the foot’s plantar support in TFC and in FFP, as well as a decrease of the plantar pressure peak in both phases. Also, there is an increased duration of the TFC and FFP, which may be related to an acquired strategy to attenuate the impacts of the ground’s reaction forces.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽  
Yuichi Hoshino ◽  
Noriyuki Kanzaki ◽  
Koji Nukuto ◽  
Takahiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gender-related differences of plantar pressure distribution during activities should be thoroughly inspected as it can help establish treatment and prevention strategies for foot and ankle problems. In-shoe measurement systems are preferable without space and activity restrictions; however, previously reported systems are still heavy and bulky and induce unnatural movement. Therefore, a slim and light plantar pressure sensor was newly developed to detect the effect of gender difference on plantar pressure during standing and walking.Methods: One-hundred healthy adult volunteers (50 females and 50 males) were recruited. Ten plantar pressure sensors were implanted in a 1-mm thick insole, with a total weight of 29 g. Plantar pressure was recorded with 200 Hz during 3 seconds of standing and while walking 10 steps. The maximum loads during standing and walking were analyzed in each sensor, and the results were compared between different areas of the foot in the antero-posterior direction and the medio-lateral direction and between different time points. The movement of the center of pressure (COP) during walking was also evaluated. Results were compared between genders by converting body weight to 50 kg.Results: The movement of COP was constant for both genders. In all cases, the maximum load was observed on the inside of the foot. Females had a significantly higher peak pressure on the hallux, toes, forefoot, and inside of the foot compared to males while standing and walking (P < .01).Conclusions: A newly introduced in-shoe plantar pressure sensor demonstrated a typical loading transition pattern of the foot. Furthermore, higher plantar pressure in the forefoot was detected in healthy females as compared to males during standing and walking activities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 1550014 ◽  
Author(s):  
QICHANG MEI ◽  
NENG FENG ◽  
XUEJUN REN ◽  
MAK LAKE ◽  
YAODONG GU

Foot loading patterns can be changed by using different unstable sole structures, detailed quantification of which is of great significance for research and technological development in falling prevention and lower limb disorders rehabilitation. In this study, unstable soles constructions are adjusted through unstable elements in heel and medial, neutral and lateral forefoot and the foot loading patterns are comparatively studied. A total of 22 healthy male subjects participated in this test. Subjects are asked to walk over a 12 m walkway with control shoes and experimental shoes in self-adapted speed. Significant peak pressure, contact area and pressure-time integral differences in middle foot are found between control shoes and experimental shoes. In addition, peak pressure and pressure-time integral are found to increase significantly with unstable elements adding to center forefoot. The results showed that adjusting the unstable elements in coronal plane of forefoot could effectively alter the distribution of plantar pressure, this could potentially offer a mechanism for preventing falling of elderly and rehabilitation of lower extremity malfunctions. This study also demonstrates a novel concept that unstable element could be effectively adjusted in terms of position to meet different functional requirement.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽  
Yuichi Hoshino ◽  
Noriyuki Kanzaki ◽  
Koji Nukuto ◽  
Takahiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Sex-related differences of plantar pressure distribution during activities should be thoroughly inspected as it can help establish treatment and prevention strategies for foot and ankle problems. In-shoe measurement systems are preferable without space and activity restrictions; however, previously reported systems are still heavy and bulky and induce unnatural movement. Therefore, a slim and light plantar pressure sensor was newly developed to detect the effect of sex difference on plantar pressure during standing and walking.Methods: One-hundred healthy adult volunteers (50 women and 50 men) were recruited. Ten plantar pressure sensors were implanted in a 1-mm thick insole, with a total weight of 29 g. Plantar pressure was recorded with 200 Hz during 3 seconds of standing and while walking 10 steps. The maximum loads during standing and walking were analyzed in each sensor, and the results were compared between different areas of the foot in the antero-posterior direction and the medio-lateral direction and between different time points. The movement of the center of pressure (COP) during walking was also evaluated. Results were compared between sexes by converting body mass index (BMI) to 22.Results: The movement of COP was constant for both sexes. In all cases, the maximum load was observed on the medial of the foot. Women had a significantly higher peak pressure on the hallux, toes, forefoot, and medial of the foot compared to men while standing and walking (P < .05).Conclusions: A newly introduced in-shoe plantar pressure sensor demonstrated a typical loading transition pattern of the foot. Furthermore, higher plantar pressure in the forefoot was detected in healthy women as compared to men during standing and walking activities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽  
Yuichi Hoshino ◽  
Noriyuki Kanzaki ◽  
Koji Nukuto ◽  
Takahiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Sex-related differences of plantar pressure distribution during activities should be thoroughly inspected as it can help establish treatment and prevention strategies for foot and ankle problems. In-shoe measurement systems are preferable without space and activity restrictions; however, previously reported systems are still heavy and bulky and induce unnatural movement. Therefore, a slim and light plantar pressure sensor was newly developed to detect the effect of sex difference on plantar pressure during standing and walking.Methods: One-hundred healthy adult volunteers (50 women and 50 men) were recruited. Ten plantar pressure sensors were implanted in a 1-mm thick insole, with a total weight of 29 g. Plantar pressure was recorded with 200 Hz during 3 seconds of standing and while walking 10 steps. The maximum loads during standing and walking were analyzed in each sensor, and the results were compared between different areas of the foot in the antero-posterior direction and the medio-lateral direction and between different time points. The movement of the center of pressure (COP) during walking was also evaluated. Analyses were adjusted for body mass index and gait speed.Results: The movement of COP was constant for both sexes. In all cases, the maximum load was observed on the medial of the foot. Women had a significantly higher peak pressure on the hallux, toes, forefoot, and medial aspect of the foot compared to men while standing and walking (p < .05).Conclusions: A newly introduced in-shoe plantar pressure sensor demonstrated a typical loading transition pattern of the foot. Furthermore, higher plantar pressure in the forefoot was detected in healthy women as compared to men during standing and walking activities.


2004 ◽  
Vol 171 (4S) ◽  
pp. 234-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harin Padma-Nathan ◽  
Jae Seung Pacik ◽  
Byoung Ok Ahn ◽  
Kyung Koo Kang ◽  
Mi Young Bahng ◽  
...  

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